Out now on Sean Conrad’s Seattle-based ambient/devotional Inner Islands label, Wide Ranging Rider is the latest offering from Stefan Beck, aka Golden Brown, who featured on our Cosmic Americana playlist earlier this year.
An instrumental album featuring Stefan on guitar, keyboards and cello; from the opening, I was struck by the journeying movement in the first of his two-part title track. From melodic head-nodding rhythms to eyes shut blissful beauty, it sets out Stefan’s stall which is filled with wonderous cosmic gems.
The reedy buzz of strings on Dusty (and later on Little Rider) sounds like a guitar dug up from the desert sand, transforming into a wavering drunken psychedelic trip before slipping into a playful rag. Each track is unlike any before and after; Wide Ranging Rider is emblazoned with originality throughout.
Try Wide Ranging Rider I, Cobwebs and Sage